[Date Prev][Date Next]
[Chronological]
[Thread]
[Top]
[PSUBS-MAILIST] Fw: Formica
Ed,
I saved this string from way back. Looks to me like it may answer some of
your questions. I submit it with obeisance to Chris. - Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Crouch <eccrouch@cpol.net>
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 11:46 AM
Subject: Re: Formica
> Over the summer we a couple of different molds and some prototype
composite
> parts. We used formica as a mold surface, usually just rubber cement
> adhesive to the mold frame which consisted of sheet plywood supported by
> framed of 2x4's. Formica (hi gloss) was one of the easiest molds I have
ever
> had the pleasure of pulling apart. The biggest part the company I worked
for
> has ever made was a propeller for a Navy Flat top. While I was there we
made
> 4 or 5 scaled hulls for a Boston's group sail boat entry for the America's
> Cup. The largest part I helped with was a composite mold for a sound
> dampening panels on the Navy's nuclear subs. We also did some work on the
> air bladders of an Alvin (we received a the plastic bladder and covered it
> with woven glass and epoxy buffed it coated it and sent it away). I also
got
> to work on a Bookstore center piece (2,000 gallon aquarium for a Dalton's
> Bookstore that was being put in the MD bay area).
>
> One important note about formica: when pulling the mold off of the formica
> be prepared for a serious static buildup. One guy has gotten hit so hard
> that he won't come out on the shop floor during the winter time.
>
> Good luck and sorry about the confusion
> Chris
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: D. Blake <dblake@bright.net>
> To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> Date: Monday, November 01, 1999 10:57 PM
> Subject: Formica
>
>
> >Hello Chris:
> >Are you suggesting a Formica surface for the hull? What would the
process
> >involve in laminating the surface material to the fiberglass pressure
hull?
> >As a teenager, I worked for a company called Allied Sinktop on Kingston
> Ave.
> >in Columbus, Ohio. I made so many Wendy's newsprint cafe tables, I saw
> them
> >in my sleep. We laminated the formica to a particle board base by way of
a
> >2-part adhesive under heat and vacuum. How do you imtend, or suggest the
> >same process be applied to a pressure hull as Paul suggests?
> >Don't get me wrong, the idea of applying a bulletproof material like
> formica
> >as a surface treatment sounds exciting. Especially with the wide variety
> of
> >patterns available. It just seems unusual.
> >Big Dave
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Chris Crouch <eccrouch@cpol.net>
> >To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> >Date: Monday, November 01, 1999 10:57 PM
> >Subject: Re: Nuclear sub
> >
> >
> >>Hey Paul,
> >> I am a plastics Major working on designing a sub. Have to agree
> >>reinventing the wheel is more fun than applying existing technology, but
I
> >>got my head full of information just trying to make heads or tails of it
> >>all. If I can give you any help on your sub let me know. I can tell you
> >that
> >>as far as finishes go on subs laminating on formica surfaces will give
you
> >>mirror like finishes, if I can help let me know. I did a summer of
> >>composites work in MD doesn't make me an expert but I have gotten my
hands
> >>dirty on a lot of fun projects.
> >>
> >>Chris
> >>-----Original Message-----
> >>From: Paul Suds <paul_suds@hotmail.com>
> >>To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> >>Date: Monday, November 01, 1999 4:18 PM
> >>Subject: Nuclear sub
> >>
> >>
> >>>Hi guys. I usually can't wait to get on the net and read your e-mails.
> >>>Unfortunately, the Nuclear Plant where I work has been refueling for
the
> >>>last month, and I haven't had time to read all the e-mails. I've just
> >spent
> >>>the last hr reading all the e-mails. As the kids say "cool". I think
I've
> >>>missed out on some good discussions. Too bad we can't use some of that
> >>spent
> >>>nuclear fuel with it's decay heat as a fuel source, ha.
> >>>I've finally finished my clay model of my sub. I plan on making the
final
> >>>unit out of fiber glass and epoxy impregnated fiber. I also saw some of
> >>your
> >>>e-mails on propulsion. I've done a myriad of calcs, and think I can get
> >>>about 13 knotts for an hr. I've found a couple of web sites on jet
pumps
> >>>(www.solas.com) and the australians have a sport called jet boating
> >>>(jetsprint.org). I've also talked to some fellow engineers at bombadier
> >and
> >>>have gotten some old design guides for the impeller and volute. I plan
on
> >>>making a variable pressure cavitation tunnel to test my propulsion
> device.
> >>>This may sound like reinventing the wheel, but hey I enjoy it, and I
tend
> >>to
> >>>learn more this way.
> >>>Now if I could only get some of that spent nuclear fuel..... Suds
> >>>
> >>>______________________________________________________
> >>>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
> >>
>
>